The seminar on Post “5·12” Wenchuan earthquake reconstruction and massive disaster relief was held amid the completion of the “5·12”Wenchuan earthquake reconstruction and the transition from disaster relief to reconstruction for “8?8” Zhouqu mudslides. It will offer an opportunity to sum up successful experiences and approaches in dealing with massive natural disaster and reconstruction, to share observations and suggestions from experts, which will be of great significance for Gansu province to do a good job in post “5·12” Wenchuan earthquake reconstruction and “8?8” Zhouqu mudslides relief and reconstruction.

“5·12” Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 hit 70 counties or districts in 10 cities or prefectures including Longnan and Gannan. Gansu only next to Sichuan is the most seriously affected province with its 8 counties listed by the state as the most seriously affected counties. The disaster caused severe life and property losses for people of all ethnic groups. Immediately after the shock, under the strong leadership of the central committee of the CPC and the State Council, Gansu provincial party committee and provincial government acted swiftly to deal with the sudden disaster, pooling resources from all quarters of the province and dispatching officials down to the disaster-hit areas. PLA, armed police and specialized relief team came to rescue. People in disaster areas helped themselves while assistance from outside poured in. Roads leading to the disaster areas were repaired, communication, power, water and other infrastructure facilities restored, the barrier lake in Jialingjiang River removed, big fire in 109 tunnel extinguished, all the hurt rushed to hospitals, and all people in disaster areas were properly relocated in places with reliable supply of food, clothes, clean water, makeshift shelter. With all this, we have scored great success in disaster relief.

Since the start of reconstruction, we have continued strong support from the central government, other provinces, regions, and social circles. Through our two years’ unremitting efforts, reconstruction proceeds smoothly. Repair and reconstruction of residential quarters in rural areas were completed last year. Construction for most public utilities such as schools and hospitals has been completed. Projects in infrastructure facilities, industrial reinvigoration, agricultural production are carried out at an accelerated rate and reconstruction will be basically completed. At the midnight of 8th August this year, the mass of flood water, mud and rock hit Zhouqu County in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu province. Mudslides from the most seriously affected Sanyanyu and Luojiayu valley swept the county seat from north to south, smashed building, left people dead and clogged Bailong River, which spilled over its banks and submerged the areas along the river banks, thus damaging roads, water, power and communication systems. The disaster of this magnitude is rare in Gansu or even in China, in terms of its severity, casualty, property losses and difficulties involved in relief. Confronting this sudden natural disaster, the central committee of the CPC and the State Council paid great attention and acted immediately. President Hu Jingtao presided over the meeting for members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau to discuss and direct the relief work. For two times premier Wen Jiabao and vice premier Hui Liangyu visited Zhouqu to direct the relief work on the spot, to send greetings to officials of all ethnic groups and relief staff on the scene. Under and correct leadership of the central party committee and the State Council, and with the great support and assistance from people all over China, PLA, armed police, relief staff and people from the disaster areas spared no efforts to brave difficulties and risks in a scientific way and finally made substantial progress.

Looking back on what we did in Wenchuan earthquake relief, reconstruction and what we are currently doing in Zhouqu mudslides relief, we have accumulated really valuable experiences well worth summarizing and lessons learning. First, confronting the unpredictable serious natural disasters, it is the central committee of the CPC, the State Council and people’s army that have long acted as a staunching backing. Second, the leading officials rushedtched in with rescue efforts, party committee and government at various levels acted quickly and put life-saving and relief as the top priority. Third, the superiority of socialism and embodiment of traditional virtue of the Chinese nation- Union is strength and one in trouble, all to help-are the important guarantees for the success of our relief efforts. Fourth, We unswerving followed the principle of putting people first and put life-saving above everything else in every stage of our relief efforts. Fifth, the party organizations at grassroots levels played a vanguard role as an ef in relief and reconstruction efforts. Sixth, it is of vital importance to set up a well-trained and well-equipped professional relief team to build up life-saving capacity. Seventh, disaster prevention and precaution should be paid attention to all the time. Scientific prevention, mass involvement and timely elimination of hidden disasters are the important measures in dealing with menace of natural disasters. Eighth, we must respect nature and work out program scientifically to ensure an effective, efficient reconstruction in an orderly way. Wenchuan earthquake relief and reconstruction commands the attention of the world. The spirits embodied in fighting against the earthquake have become the most valuable spiritual wealth of our party and people. Experiences accumulated in our relief efforts and reconstruction will go a long way in our fighting against various natural disasters and social and economic development in the years to come. It is well necessary to take stock of what we have learned in our fighting against disasters and reconstruction, which will help a lot in building up our capacity in emergency response, disaster prevention, reduction and reconstruction. In conclusion, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to ministries, provinces, non-government organizations and international communities, for their care and support for “5·12” earthquake “8?8” mudslides efforts. I hope this seminar will help us further draw on lesson from relief efforts and reconstructim relief efforts and reconstruction and explore effective approaches to deal with various natural disasters.

I wish the seminar a great success, all experts and leaders good health and the very best of luck.